Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas Card and Letter 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

On behalf of this segment of the Morgan family we send you our warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas. We hope that you have had a wonderful year, and are able to celebrate your blessings with those close to you this holiday season and look forward to a great year ahead. It is hard to believe that yet another year has gone by, but we feel very blessed and grateful for the year we have had. As usual it has been mighty hectic in our house this year with our three kids growing so fast and all their activities, but we love every minute of chauffeuring them around and not sleeping. In all seriousness we all feel very lucky to get to enjoy all of these things together, minus maybe Gavin going to so many cheer events (Though we feel certain he will enjoy them more in a few years). We hope that each of you enjoy this Christmas season to the fullest, and that 2014 is a wonderful year for you.

Gavin is now 10 years old and growing a lot faster than his dad ever did. This year Gavin played spring baseball, and then spent the summer applying pressure on his mom and dad to let him play tackle football. We finally caved in and let him play full out tackle football in the Fall, and much to our dismay he loved it. Gavin was excited to play but extremely disappointed when he found out he would be playing for the Packers, given he is a diehard Steelers fan. Lacey and I were not big fans of our little man taking on a full contact sport, but as the season went on we really enjoyed the games. Gavin played safety for his team and managed to get two interceptions, so needless to say he is hooked. He still is a book worm, reading every chance he gets and finishing books by the series. Gavin has maintained his sweet demeanor, and continues to do very well in school. He really enjoys doing just about any sport, and has even showed an affinity for tennis in the last year which we are hoping he wants to continue to cultivate. Gavin really is a sweet boy, and we are so thankful and proud to have him as our son.

Ellie is now 8 years old and in second grade. Ellie appears to be on track to grow more like her dad did, which means slowly if at all. However, this trait has served her well in the sport of her choosing, cheerleading. After a couple of years of weekly classes, Ellie decided to step out of her comfort zone and try out for a competitive cheer team. We were extremely proud of her when we found out she made it, given how competitive it is. She has really worked hard and done very well as a member of the Woodlands Elite Aviators. Ellie is a flyer, which means she is the one who scares her parents by being on the top of the other girls during the routine. Her team has done very well at competitions and they are gearing up for the national stage in the New Year. Ellie is a really sweet girl with a heart bigger than she is. She is happy to help anyone at anytime, and is a bundle of fun to be with and a true blessing to our family. We are really excited to see what next year brings for our little growing lady, and her dad prays that she continues to like being daddy’s girl.

Hadley is 5 going on 20, and started kindergarten this year. This year marked a milestone in our family as all three kids now go to elementary school together. We have been really impressed with how well Hadley adjusted going to “big school”, but we felt pretty sure given her personality she would do just fine. She really enjoys getting to see “Sissy” and “Gavie” during the day, and we think that really helped her settle in. Hadley has really worked hard to learn to read, and she looks forward to going to school “almost” everyday. Not to be outdone by her big sister, Hadley too tried out for and made a competitive cheer team, the Woodlands Elite Cadets. Hadley absolutely loves being on a cheer team, and like Ellie was chosen to be a flyer. It came as no surprise to us that the crowds at the competitions did not faze this little one, she seems to be able to take nearly everything in stride. Their team has also fared very well, winning nearly every competition they enter. Hadley is a true blast to be around, with a personality bigger than her body. It has been really fun to continue to watch her grow and flourish and we are really proud of her.

Lacey has had an extremely busy year again this year. Last January she planned the first ever Morgan trip to Disney and it was a complete success. Lacey literally mapped out each day’s activities, made all the reservations, and the trip was amazing. We all agreed it was the best family vacation we had taken together and hope to do it again soon. This year was also trying for her, as she dreaded the start of school and Hadley starting to go full time. Given Lacey has been with a sidekick for the past ten years, she was really fretting entering this new stage. As usual, she persevered and found a million activities she could volunteer for to stay close to the kids. Lacey decided with her friend to make and sell the school shirts, be room mom for what seems like every class at the school, and do just about anything they need her to do. She is really enjoying spending so much time helping at the school, and I often joke with her that she might need a cot there. Lacey is also very involved in her Bible Study Fellowship class, which has really strengthened her faith. She continues to be the glue that keeps everything at our house together and running smoothly, and I don’t know where we would be without her (Especially me). We are all very thankful to have such an amazing and beautiful woman to support us, keep us organized, and make sure we feel loved and appreciated for who we are.

As for me, I am another year older and what feels like three inches shorter. I am having a fantastic time doing whatever the kids decide to do and trying to be a good husband to my wife. I still love my work, and am very thankful for the opportunities I have. Most of all, I am overwhelmed with how blessed I have been with a wife that I love and kids that I adore. I truly have more than I deserve, and am very thankful for all of it.

We extremely appreciate having each of you in our lives, and value our relationships immensely. From the bottom of our hearts we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope that 2014 is a wonderful year for you and your loved ones.